Multi-variable graphical interface and method

ABSTRACT

Present computer software tools for monitoring system performance variables particularly for online activity, are not convenient to use and are not overly effective in their use for identifying critical situations. There is a need for users to be able to readily deduce the accumulated effect of a number of variables on the functioning of a computer system. This is often made more difficult when scales of absolute values of the variables involved are significantly different. The multi-variable graphical interface and method of the present invention addresses many of these concerns. A graphical user interface and method is described wherein at least one zone appears on the display representing threshold values for the variables and overlying the zones, representations or line graphs of one or more of the variables is provided. Thus, their results and accumulated indications as to the functioning of the computer system based on the plurality of performance variables selected is provided in a visual manner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention broadly relates to information handling systemsand methods related thereto. The invention more particularly relates tothe field of performance tools used to display and analyze systemperformance variables during the operation of information handlingsystems and computing systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various methods and uses of performance tools for collecting andassessing data and methods of displaying collected data of dependentvariables are known for a variety of situations and applications.Examples of such systems and methods will now be presented.

A. J. Blasciak in U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,394 describes a softwareperformance analyzer. This patent issued on Apr. 7, 1992 and is assignedto Hewlett-Packard Company. The disclosed subject matter describes ameasurement tool that assists software designers in software developmentcycles in the testing, debugging and optimization of the program underdevelopment. The software performance analyzer performs six separatenon-intrusive measurements relating to the program consisting of programactivity, memory activity, module duration, module usage, inter-moduleduration and inter-module linkage. The relevant data pertaining to eachof these measurements is collected, analyzed and displayed in either ahistogram or tabular format.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,455, entitled “Display of Multiple VariableRelationships”, issued to Higgins et al on Apr. 26, 1994 and is assignedto Hewlett-Packard Company. This patent describes methods for graphicaland numerical displaying of the joint variation of two or more variableswith the variation of a third independent variable. The dependentvariables could be chemical concentrations of a given substance. Themethod pertains to presenting the relationships of two or more relateddependent variables in a single graphical format in which theindependent variable is allowed to vary continuously over its permittedrange. The method permits a continuous display of the changes in anindependent variable and the effect on the resulting values of two ormore variables that depend on the independent variable. A collection isprovided of Cartesian coordinate pairs for each of a sequence ofincreasing values of the third variable. These coordinate pairs aredisplayed on a two-dimensional graph on a computer monitor or similarscreen with an identification label which indicates the value of theindependent variable for each coordinate pair provided on the graph. Thedata may also be provided in a numerical table. An additional, movableindicator is provided that indicates the-coordinate pair of thedependent variables for the current choice of the independent variable.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,932 entitled “System and Method for DynamicallyControlling Remote Processes from a Performance Monitor”, issued to Chenet al on Jul. 11, 1995, and is assigned to International BusinessMachines Corporation. This patent discloses graphical user interfacesubsystems and graph to monitor multiple data values supplied by a datavalue receiver subsystem. The patent describes and refers to softwaretools for providing a graphical interface to visually depict variousaspects of the data processing system, thereby reducing the amount oftime required to analyze the operation of a data processing system.

The description provides for the collection of performance data and thecomputation of performance statistics. The data is displayed on verticalscales to plot absolute values of the variable data against time on thesame Y axis of the graph. Processes of the data processing system to becontrolled can be ranked when graphically presented to a user to assistin determining problematic processes that need attention. By means ofthe graphical user interface, a user can sort and refresh snapshots ofthe data to facilitate the selection of appropriate process controlmeasures of the data processing system.

The data base technology products for the client/server environmentavailable from IBM, namely DB2® UDB, Version 5, includes a DB2performance monitor feature. This feature provides a workstation-basedonline monitor of variables which simplifies online monitoring andproblem analysis of variables of the product of which it is a component.It enables the user to monitor, analyze and optimize the performance ofthe product and its subsystems. The performance monitor feature includesa graphical user interface for selecting one or more variables from avariety of performance variables and displaying the resultant data on agraph on the display screen. The variables are visually displayed on agraph consisting of an extendable X-axis of time and a variable Y-axiswhich is based on a percentage of the particular scale value for thatvariable. In order for a system administrator to obtain a sense of thesensitivity or criticality of the value of the plotted variable it isnecessary to obtain an indication of the absolute value of the variable.This can be somewhat cumbersome and inconvenient. First theadministrator must determine what percentage of the Y-axis (0 to 100) isthe value of the plotted variable at a particular point in time (eg.53); then a cascading menu is pulled down to reveal a dialog whichindicates to the user the scale that the variable is plotted against inthe graph (eg. 1052); then the administrator, in this example, mustmultiply 53×1052=55756; then a further cascading menu is pulled down toobtain a current threshold value set for that particular variable. Theabove calculated value (example 55756) is compared to the thresholdvalue to obtain a sense of how critical or sensitive is the value of theparticular variable. These steps must be repeated for each of thevariables depicted on the graph.

A performance monitor is provided in the Windows NT® product. A typicalWindows® screen is available for displaying the results of themonitoring of one or more variables pertaining to the computer system onwhich the product is installed. This is a graphical tool for viewing anddynamically changing charts reflecting variables and the currentactivity of the computer system. The value of a selected variable isdisplayed on a line graph in which the X-axis is time dependent and theY-axis is a percentage value of each variable. In order to determine theabsolute value of a variable, the number displayed must still bemultiplied by a scale factor and compared with a threshold value foreach variable on the graph. The Windows NT performance monitor can plotmultiple variables on a single graph however a scale factormultiplication is needed for each variable similar to what has beenpreviously described. The operator can only view a trend in the value ofthe variable but has no clue as to the severity of the situationswithout picking a value of a variable, multiplying it by a scale factor,and comparing it to a threshold value known to the user through acquiredexperience.

Although the above systems and methods referred to, which are consideredto be examples of those presently known and available, provideimprovements over previous methods for monitoring, analyzing anddisplaying data relating to performance variables of data processingsystems, there are still significant deficiencies in the flexibility ofthese systems for use by a user at an online workstation. Typically thedata of the value of the variables is merely displayed to the user withlittle or no quantitative sense apparent as to the meaning or effect ofthe variable on the functioning of the system performance. It isdifficult and in many instances, meaningless, to look at a graph,whether a graph is in the form of line graph, an area graph or a bargraph, to readily deduce the effective significance of the displayeddata.

Monitoring multiple-variable systems is a complex task which is alsooften time critical. It must be made relatively easy for a user oroperator of the system to determine quickly when the system is in acritical state. A quick glance at a computer screen which allows theoperator to see key activity variables of the system and determinewhether they have reached a certain threshold, is significant. It isalso important for the user to be able to readily deduce how far intothe danger zone the variables are and the accumulated effect and trendsof the variables over a period of time, as to whether the variables stayin the danger zone or gradually build up or dip in and out of the dangerzone. Awareness by the user as to the relative severity of the values ofthe variables can be crucial to the effective functioning of the system.

The above problems are compounded in information handling systems by thefact that the variables do not lie on the same scale. It is thereforedifficult to plot these variables against each other and to assess theircombined result on the operation of the system without requiring theoperator to do some calculations to determine the absolute values andcompare these against known threshold values for the variables. Forexample, percentage of central processing usage could be measured on ascale of 0 to 100, whereas the number of input/output reads could bemeasured from zero to thousands, and an indication of response timewould be measured from 0 to 20 seconds, all on very different scales. Itis difficult to represent these variables to an operator in one quickview that will give the user the necessary information in one glance asto the presence of a critical situation. Typically, operators and usersof systems do not want to deal with absolute values since they are onlymeaningful in relation to a threshold value or a particular trend forthat variable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andmore useful multi-variable graphical interface and method for collectingand displaying data of variables on a computer screen.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for amulti-variable graphical interface which overcomes many of the knownproblems of existing interfaces for displaying variable data.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method andsystem for displaying variable data of activities obtained from avariety of information handling systems for industries needing to domonitoring of multi-variable systems and display the results on acomputer screen.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a graphicaluser interface for displaying multi-variable data of activities which isuser friendly and readily provides more significant indications to theuser as to the criticality of the values of the variables than presentlyavailable systems.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a programstorage device and a computer-readable memory element containinginstructions executable by a computer to implement a new and more usefulmulti-variable graphical user interface and method for collecting anddisplaying data of variables on a computer screen.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a graphicaluser interface displaying representations of the values of at least onevariable on a display of a computing system to provide indications as tohow the variables relate to pre-determined threshold values of thevariables over time and where the variables relate to an operation of aninformation handling system. The graphical user interface includes atleast one zone in a screen on the display of the computing system suchthat the zones represent threshold values for each of the variables. Theinterface further includes representations of the values of saidvariables over time overlying the zones in accordance with the thresholdvalue of the zones so as to provide a visual indication of thefunctioning of the information handling system.

A further aspect of the invention is directed to a method of displayingrepresentations of at least one performance variable of an informationhandling system on a display of a computing system where the method isperformed by a programmed computer system. The method includes the stepsof providing at least one zone in a screen on the display of thecomputing system such that the zones represent threshold values of thevariables and providing representations of the values of the variableson the screen within said zones such that over time, a visual impressionis provided by said representations as to the performance of theinformation handling system.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided acomputer-readable memory for storing instructions executable in acomputer for implementing the method of displaying representations of atleast one performance variable of an information handling system on adisplay of a computing system where the method is performed by aprogrammed computer system comprising the steps of providing at leastone zone in a screen on said display of the computing system, such thateach zone represents a threshold value of the performance variables; andproviding representations of values of said variables on the screen overtime and overlying said zones such that a visual impression is providedby said representations as to the performance of the informationhandling system.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided aprogram storage device readable by a computer, tangibly embodying aprogram of instructions executable by the computer for implementing onthe computer a graphical user interface displaying a representation ofthe values of at least one variable on a computing system display toprovide indications as to how said variables relate to predeterminedthreshold values of said variables over time, and where said variablesrelate to an operation of an information handling system, comprising atleast one zone in a screen on said display such that each zonerepresents a threshold value for each of said variables; and arepresentation of the values of each of said variables over timeoverlying said zones in accordance with the threshold values of saidzones, so as to provide a visual indication of the functioning of theinformation handling system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages of the inventionwill be better understood from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a graphical user interface screen illustrating aspects of thesubject invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are variations of FIG. 1 showing other features of thegraphical user interface illustrated in FIG. 1.

To facilitate reader understanding, common elements in the Figures arereferred to with the same reference numbers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment to describe and illustrate the subjectinvention is a performance monitor tool for use in association withcomputer systems. However, it should be appreciated that the usefulnessof the invention is not limited to the monitoring of variables in acomputing system environment but can be used in a broad range ofinformation handling technology applications where multi-variablemonitoring is appropriate. The applications could include, for example,monitoring operation variables related to power plants, hospitals,aviation industry and military equipment, pulp and paper industry,manufacturing industry and the chemical industry. The term “informationhandling” is broadly considered to encompass systems and methodsdesigned to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, store,display, measure, reproduce or utilize any form of information,intelligence or data for business, scientific, control or otherpurposes.

In general, performance variables can be selected and identified for anyactivity of a system which varies over time and for which there is aneed to follow or monitor the value of that activity. The value of theactivity can be detected in any suitable or appropriate manner. Thepresent invention is useful in dealing with performance variables inobject oriented computer program technology environment. In objectoriented computer programming technology, the design focus of objectoriented design is on how a problem to be solved can be broken down intoa set of autonomous entities that can work together to provide asolution. The autonomous entities of object oriented technology arecalled “objects”. An object is a data structure and a set of operationsor functions, also referred to as methods, that can access that datastructure. An interface associated with each object defines the way inwhich methods operate on their associated object. Objects having similarcharacteristics and common behavior are grouped together into a class.Each defined object will usually be manifested in a number of instances.Each instance contains the particular data structure for a particularexample of the object. The relationship between classes, objects andinstances are established during build time or generation of the objectoriented computer environment. Examples of common object orientedtechnology programming languages are C++, SmallTalk® and Java®.

A key relationship between objects in object oriented programmingapplications is the “notifier/observer” relationship. A “notifier”object may have any number of dependent “observer” objects with whichthey can be associated. The “observer” object is notified by the“notifier” object when certain events occur on that object. Thus, asubject object acts as a “notifier” object and sends updates of itsstatus to a “observer” object. A “monitor” object class is a subclass ofthe “observer” object class. The activity or value of an identifiedperformance variable or object can then be readily collected over time.A “monitor” object collects data on a specific performance variable orobject.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an example of the performancemonitor graphical interface 10 as contemplated by the present invention.This can be thought of as the activity graph screen over time of theperformance monitor. The central part of the display consists of twodistinct areas, namely, threshold area 11 and marker area 12. In thispreferred embodiment, threshold area 11 is divided into a number ofhorizontal bands 13 to 17, representing the threshold zones defined forthe current monitor application. The horizontal bands or zones representvarious threshold values of the variables. At least one threshold zoneis required to obtain the beneficial results from use of the invention.Thus, one or more or a plurality of threshold zones are preferred. In aparticular embodiment, each band or zone has its own predefined color.The center zone 15 on the screen as shown in FIG. 1 can be thought of asrepresenting normal values for the variables and could be colored green.On each side of the normal zone, there appears zones 14 and 16 whichcould be thought of as zones representing a warning for the values ofthe variables involved and could be colored yellow. Above the upperwarning zone 14 and below the lower warning zone 16 there appearcritical or alarm zones 13 and 17. These could be colored red torepresent critical values of the variables. Of course, it is apparentthat more or fewer zones than has been illustrated could appear in theperformance screen and various colors or ranges of colors could be usedto visually convey the severity and criticality of the value of thevariables.

The activity graph screen 10 is used to represent a graph over time ofdata or values collected for one or more performance variables. Thehorizontal axis represents time and there is no vertical scale shown atthis point, only a qualitative indication of the values of the variousthreshold zones. For the example shown then, threshold area 11 has fivezones and could have the following colors starting from the top zone ashorizontal bands red 13, yellow 14, green 15, yellow 16 and red 17. Ifthere is no data collected for a performance variable falling within aparticular zone that has been previously described, this could bevisually indicated by having the zone colored gray or dimmed to visuallydistinguish it from a zone where the value of a performance variableexists. A zone on the graph remains dimmed until the value of aperformance variable has entered into that zone during the monitoredperiod. Only then will the zone be lit up with its color to furtherassist the operator in quickly ascertaining the severity or criticalityof a problem associated with that performance variable. The performancemonitor activity display screen is provided in a window by the softwareoperating system of the computer system. Pseudocode to implement theapplication is subsequently provided in this specification.

In FIG. 1, two distinct line graphs 18 and 19 of values of performancevariables are shown plotted as examples in threshold area 11. The linegraphs of each performance variable are distinguished from each other bycolor or in some other visually distinctive manner.

Marker area 12 (previously introduced) contains markers which indicatesthe occurrence at a particular point in time of a predefined event. Twosymbols representing events, a square and a diamond, are shown in markerarea 12 for different events. Any suitable distinguishing symbol couldbe used. The particular events to be followed or identified arepre-chosen by the user and a corresponding marker appears in area 12when the event occurs. A number in a marker, as shown in FIG. 1,signifies the number of occurrences of that event in the particular timeslot. By drilling down on a marker, as is well known, all the collectedinformation pertaining to the corresponding event can be obtained.Examples of events that may be of interest to a user to know when theyoccurred are the activities of “connect to database” and “deadlocks”. Ofcourse, it is apparent that any appropriate event of an informationhandling system may be identified in the marker area 12. As will besubsequently described, the time axis for both threshold area 11 andmarker area 12 is the same and thus correlation between the significanceof a marker and a representation of a performance variable or a linegraph activity is readily apparent to a user. Thus, the purpose of thisspecialized marker area 12 is to further enhance the qualitativeanalysis of the collected or monitored data by noting the occurrence ofkey events on the same axis as the monitored variables, and having boththe events of a variable and the value of a performance variableconcurrently displayed. A variable represented by an event in markerarea 12 may be one of the same performance variables as appears inthreshold area 11. Usually, however, different variables are involved.

The zone border values section 20 of the graphical interface of FIG. 1is shown with the heading “Thresholds”. Section 20 contains a number offields which represent the boundary values between various zones inthreshold area 11. The values inside the fields pertain to the currentlyselected performance variable which, in this example, is the line graph18 of a particular performance variable. When a user selects adifference performance variable, the values in the fields in thresholdsection 20 change to reflect the new defined zone boundary values forthat variable. The values displayed in the fields in section 20 pertainto the predetermined threshold values of the particular performancevariable between the boundaries of the adjacent threshold zones. If theperformance variable does not have a value in a threshold zone, then theadjacent field in a zone boundary value section 20 is blank. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 1 and the selected performance variable18, the value 20 in the lower field of section 20 is the boundary valuebetween threshold zone 16 and 17, and the value 40 shown in the nextfield is the boundary value of the variable between threshold zone 16and 15. As is apparent from the example in FIG. 1, since each fieldrepresents the boundary value between adjacent threshold zones inthreshold area 11, there is one less field in section 20 required thanthe number of zones in area 11. The background of the various fields insection 20 can be made the same color as the corresponding thresholdzones in area 11 in order to further provide a visual impact of thepotential effect of the values of the displayed performance variable.The third field from the bottom in section 20 represents the upper zone14. If there were a value (eg. 60) then any data point greater than orequal to 60 would be in the upper yellow zone 14. Leaving this fieldblank signifies that everything that is not less than or equal to 40 isnot in the lower yellow zone 16 and thus it is in the green zone 15 bydefault.

Each performance variable point which relates to the data collected forthat variable, represents a single sample in time and is plotted by thesystem in its appropriate zone defined by the threshold values relativeto the bottom and top of that zone. Some examples will help toillustrate this point. If the value of a variable is 203 and the rangeof the upper yellow zone is 200 to 210, then die point for this variablewill appear {fraction (3/10)}ths of the way up into the upper yellowwarning zone. Depending upon whether or not the other zones, namely thegreen, lower yellow and lower red zone, have been squashed or expanded(as will be subsequently described), this point may appear very close tothe bottom of the graph or very close to the top of the graph. Adifferent performance variable which works on a percentage scale, forexample, could have a point with a value of 23 plotted {fraction(3/10)}ths (three-tenths) of the way up the yellow zone as well if itsthreshold values were set at 10 to 20 for the upper yellow zone. If theperformance variable has no threshold set, then all of its values forthe data collected will appear in the green zone.

Thus, by continuing the above approach for each of the variables, thedifferent performance variables can have their points plotted on thesame activity graph screen and in the same zones regardless of thevertical scale that is used. For example, if percentage centralprocessing unit usage is 63 and its defined upper yellow warning zone isfrom 60 to 70, then it too will appear {fraction (3/10)}ths of the wayup the upper yellow warning zone on the graph.

As has been mentioned, the X-axis 21 of the activity graph representstime and is scalable, labeled and scrollable. Thus, the range andmagnitude of the scale can readily be changed. Sample time tick marksappear along the bottom edge of the graph in the threshold area andperiodic tick marks have actual time associated with them, as shown. Inthe example illustrated, the time axis is aligned horizontally along theentire width of the graph in the threshold area 11. This time axis alsoapplies to the occurrence of markers in the marker area 12 previouslydescribed. A date may also be associated with the time axis.

The time axis area includes a visible period slider bar 22. Thisconsists of a slider bar with a single movable arm at the bottom of thegraph. A vertical line 23, as shown in FIG. 1 extending into thresholdand marker areas 11 and 12, coincides with the current position of thevisible slider arm 22 and movable with it. This has the effect of takinga slice in time of the values of performance variables on the graph inarea 11 and any markers in area 12.

A second slider bar 24 parallel to the first and adjacent thereto,contains a shaft with two movable handles with a special zone on theshaft in between the handles. The zone of slider bar 24 between the twohandles represents the range of slider bar 22 and the existing displayedrange of areas 11 and 12. Slider bar 24 as a whole represents the entiretime spectrum of data available for the performance variables and eventswhich are currently not visible on the graph. The range of slider bar 22is a subset of the range of slider bar 24. The user can then drag eitherof the two handles on slider bar 24 to enlarge or decrease the region orzones between these two handles. This has the effect of increasing ordecreasing the range of slider bar 22, thus scaling the graph byincreasing or decreasing the number of visible points on the graph. Theuser can drag the zone delimited by the two handles on slider bar 24, toeffectively scroll the graph. In this case, the two handles do notchange position relative to each other and the lower and upper rangelimits on slider bar 22 increase or decrease together to accommodate thezone drag. This does not change the graph scale of the X-axis. The timeand date extent of sampled variables available with adjustment of thehandles in second slider bar 24 are shown at either end of slider bar22.

Detail line area 25 in FIG. 1 represents the data collected the lasttime a sample was taken for the currently selected performance variable.The name of the selected performance variable is indicated as BufferPoolHit Ratio and corresponds to line graph 18 in threshold area 11. Thename of the variable of the second line graph 19 displayed in thisexample is # of Logical Reads. The names of the performance variablesplotted or displayed in threshold area 11 are listed in detailed linearea 25 on the screen. Thus, a visible segment of the currently selectedperformance variable line is provided in a number of fields as shown inarea 25, with the display of the variable values of the performancevariable including last value, average value, minimum value, maximumvalue, and the time that the data was collected. The background color ofthe fields could also be made the same color as the correspondingthreshold zones in threshold area 11 and the fields in threshold valuesection 20 so as to readily provide a visual indication of thesignificance of the values.

Thus, the detail value section 25 is linked to the plotted performancevariables in threshold area 11. The currently selected variable itemdrives the detailed values and matches the current selection in thegraph and any other linked area such as a tabular list. The various linegraphs of the performance variables in threshold area 11 include graphsfor all of the performance variables that the user has chosen todisplay. A currently selected performance variable results in thedetailed line being drawn with selected emphasis and also drives thevalues appearing in the detailed line section 25. Also in accordancewith standard graphical user interface elements, if the user desires tosee the absolute value of a specific point of a graph line, the pointcan be hovered over with the pointing device and a window containing agraph value overlay is displayed providing the appropriate values.

Zoom button 26, shown in FIG. 1, permits a user to mark out arectangular area in the threshold area 11 by left-clicking, dragging andreleasing the mouse pointer or other pointing device. Once the userreleases the mouse button, the area in the threshold area 11 delimitedby the drawn rectangle, becomes the chosen area on a separate windowdisplay that the user can look at the performance details and relateddata in more detail.

As has been illustrated in FIG. 1, the various threshold zones 13 to 17are shown as being of equal and consistent size. This is the preferreddefault configuration for the activity graph section 10. FIGS. 2 and 3,which provide variations of FIG. 1, and which illustrate other featuresof graphical interface 10 will now be described.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the adjacent horizontal threshold zones 13 to 17being separated by split bars 27 to 30 respectively. In other words,each previously described threshold zone is bounded by a split bar whichallows a user to increase or decrease the size of the adjacent zone forthe purpose of better viewing the activity of the displayed-performancevariable.

The previously illustrated zones are shown as horizontal zones and areseparated by split bars which allows the user to give more or lessscreen space to zones of particular interest or less interest,respectively. The split bars can be manipulated by clicking and holdinga pointing device on the split bar and then moving the pointing devicevertically. By manipulating the split bars, the user can squash orexpand any zone to provide a more accurate visual impression. Forexample, if a user is less interested in anything in normal zone 15,then the user can bring the two split bars 28 and 29 bordering normalzone 15, and the warning zones 14 and 16, respectively, closer togetherby dragging them individually. With reference to FIG. 2, split bar 27between upper alarm zone 13 and upper warning zone 14 can be draggeddownwardly or pulled down so as to enlarge upper alarm zone 13 as isapparent when the size of this latter zone is compared with thecorresponding zone in FIG. 1.

By manipulating the zones themselves, the user can squash or expandadjacent zones. For example, if the user is not interested in anythingin normal zone 15 and wishes to expand a critical zone, but not at theexpense of a warning zone, the user can drag the entire warning zone toshift it down into the space on the screen which the normal zone ooccupies in the default mode of FIG. 1, while at the same time expandingthe screen real estate covered by the critical zone. With reference toFIG. 3, starting with the zone variation as shown and described in FIG.2, the entire lower warning zone 16 has been dragged upwardly whilemaintaining its size, while the normal zone 15 has been reduced in sizeand thus the lower alarm zone 17 has been enlarged by a correspondingamount. It is thus apparent with the variations in the threshold zonesas described, that the line graphs 18 and 19 and the fields in the zoneborder values section 20 are also appropriately repositioned.

Where the performance variables relate to events or activities in theoperation of a computing system, the activity graph screen and theperformance monitor graphical interface as described, rides over andrelies on the functioning of the underlying computer operating systemand procedures and obtains values for the performance variablestherefrom. It is also apparent that in addition to having the values ofthe performance variables displayed in a graph format in the performancemonitor graphical interface of the subject invention, the data collectedfor the performance variables could also be displayed in a tabularformat or any other appropriate representation of the values of theperformance variables. The table could show data for each performancevariable at a particular slice in time, including performance variablevalue, average value, minimum value and maximum value. The table couldalso reflect the colors used in the threshold zones and the zone bordervalue fields as previously described, to indicate a warning or criticalvalue for that performance variable is being approached.

Various performance variables are selected by the user to be displayedon the graph from a tabular list of all variables currently beingmonitored. The selected variables are simultaneously available andlinked to the graph in threshold area 11. The zone border valuesreflected in the fields in section 20 represent the vertical axisthreshold values for the currently selected performance variable graphline. These fields in section 20 represent the maximum number of zonesfor all performance variable lines that are currently displayed in thezones. When the user selects a new performance variable, the values inthese fields change to reflect the threshold values for the newperformance variables, Since there can be more than one performancevariable line in threshold area 11 at the same time, each with varyingnumber of defined zone boundary values, boundary values which are notdefined for the currently selected performance variable will appearblank. When the user selects a different performance variable, somefields may remain blank while others will get filled in with a thresholdvalue in accordance with the values for that particular performancevariable. As has been described, for visual clarity and impact, thebackground color of each field can be made to match the color of thethreshold zone to which it applies.

Data for any appropriate performance variable would be meaningful foruse with the disclosed invention. Suitable performance variablesrelating to the functioning of a computer system would include averageI/O time, buffer pool hit ratio (%), cache hit ratio (%), CPU usage (%),average response time, current connections, failed SQL statements, poolwrite time and rows read per second.

A graph value overlay area provides the current absolute value for thepoints of a particular performance variable graph line appearing in thethreshold area 11, as displayed in screen 10. It appears when the userhovers the mouse pointing device over a particular point on a graph linein threshold area 11. As there is no vertical scale shown on the graph,the absolute value of a plotted point is made available by hovering thepointer over a point which causes a temporary popup window to appearwith the absolute value of that point. Alternatively, a popup menu couldbe provided with an absolute value option, as is known in GUIenvironment. As a further alternative, the slider on 22 could also beused to drive another screen with tabular output to get a quick view ofthe values of all the performance variables in threshold area 11 at aparticular point in time.

The graph area, threshold area 11, marker area 12, and the optionalareas zone border section 20 and detailed line section 25 and anytabular list of performance variable data are fully contained within asingle standard window of a graphical user interface. This window has anaction bar which the user clicks on. A popup menu appears when a userclicks on the right mouse button with the pointing device on a graphline or performance variable in any list or on the graph itself, thusproviding more specific details relating to the performance variable.Such options are considered to be standard graphical user interfaceelements.

From the above, it can be appreciated that the subject invention whichis embodied in the activity graph screen of a performance monitor,provides a fisheye graph representing one or more variables. This typeof graph is not to scale but reveals more information with respect tothe variables and the effect they may have on the functioning of asystem and other dependent variables than what would be the case ifscaled plots of the variables were to be used. The invention providesthe ability to gracefully plot many variables of vastly different scalesagainst time on the same Y-axis and readily provide an indication of thestate of each of these variables at a glance. The performance variablesare plotted in one or more bands or zones in a threshold area on adisplay. The operator does not have to calculate values and compare themto other values for each variable monitored on the graph. The user islooking for signs of activities that are critical and may be going wrongin the system, not the absolute values of the variables for which theremay be no real appreciated significance. Merely observing a trend of thevalue of a variable may still not be that meaningful if the trend iswithin a normal zone and the variable has no critical value. In thecontext of the subject invention, this situation becomes readilyapparent to the user.

The following pseudo-code assumes the reader is familiar with the Javaor C++ programming languages. Making use of this code to program acomputer system is well within the capabilities of one skilled in theart. This pseudo-code is copyright protected by the Applicant.

The classes detailed below all work together to provide an enhancedslider bar type of GUI control. The fish-eye graph of the presentinvention is implemented as a slider bar with multiple arms and one ormore zones, each zone having its own color.

Since the graph is a Canvas control (like a graphic context), it cannotcontain other Component objects (eg. buttons, check boxes, entryfields). In order to add a time axis, border values, a legend, or anyother additional GUI elements which interact with the graph, a Panel(which can contain Component objects) must be created with the desiredLayoutManager (formatter) and add the graph (SliderAxis) as a Componenton the Panel.

The container Panel created, needs to create a SliderAxisSettings objectand pass it to the SliderAxis constructor. The container Panel alsocreates any DrawableSettings subclasses, and adds them as overlays tothe graph. These overlays represent the performance variable graphlines, and the markers. The methods for drawing these overlays convertsthe internal representation of the performance variable and marker (eg.the snapshot times and their values), to create the appropriate Polygon(a predefined graphics class) to draw onto the surface of the graph asan overlay. Since the SliderAxis knows about the existence but not thespecifics of the overlays, it calls their draw( ) methods at theappropriate times to overlay the graph lines and markers onto the graphsurface.

The SliderAxis class takes care of handling the user interactions:clicking, dragging, etc., and communicates the changes to theappropriate DrawableSettings objects (SliderZoneSettings,SliderArmSettings, SliderShaftSettings, DrawableSettings overlays . . .).

Vector zones = ZondDefinition.getZoneDefinitions( ); // staticallydefined setup somewhere Vector activeGraphZoneColours = newVector(zones.size( )); Vector inactiveGraphZoneColours = newVector(zones.size( )); boolean alwaysActiveFlags[ ] = newboolean[zones.size( )]; int count=0; for (Enumeration e =zones.elements( );e has MoreElements( );count++) { ZoneDefinition aZone= (ZoneDefinition) e.nextElement( );activeGraphZoneColours.addElement(aZone.getActiveColour( ));inactiveGraphZoneColours.addElement(aZone.getInactiveColour( ));alwaysActiveFlags[count] = aZone.isAlwaysAcitve( ); } graphSurface = newSliderAxis(graphSurfaceSettings = new SliderAxisSettings(LowerLimit,upperLimit, SliderShaftSettings VERTICALSHAFT, 100, // shaft width ratio100, // shaft height ratio 100, // arm width ratio 2, // arm heightratio zones.size( ) − 1, // number of arms Colour.lightGray, // armColour activeGraphZoneColours, inactiveGraphZoneColours,alwaysActiveFlags, true)); // are the zones draggable //Want all thearms to be of a fixed 5 pixel thickness, so must reset it after creationfor (int i=1; i <= graphSurfaceSettings.getNumberOfArms( ); i++)graphSurfaceSettings.getArmSettings(i).setFixedThickness(5); // Registeras an observer of the SliderAxisSettings notifications to drive otherparts of the GUI (eg. a table with details) // with what happens in thegraph graphSurfaceSettings.addObserver(this); Here is a class hierarchy:Drawable −−−−−−> DrawableSettings −−−−−−> SliderZoneSettingsSliderArmSettings SliderShaftSettings PVLineSettings (these areoverlays) MarkerSettings (there are overlays) java.awt.Canvas−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−> SliderAxis ↑ java.util.Observer−−−−−−−−−−−−interface−−−−−−−−−+ java.awt.Observable−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−> SliderAxisSettings ↑ java.util.Observer−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−interface−−−−−−−−−+

Drawable interface draw(Graphics g, Rectangle boundingArea) - methodwhich draws thc subclasses' visual representation DrawableSettingsabstract class extends the Observable class and implements-the Drawableinterface (but leaves the methods abstract) defines notifications forRECTANGLECHANGED, SELECTIONSTATECHANGED sends a SELECTIONSTATECHANGEDnotification to any observers if the selection state of the objectchanges has the following attributes with appropriate set( ) and get( )method: whether the DrawableSetting is selected or not whether theDrawableSetting is selectable or not whether the DrawableSetting isdraggable or not inside(int x, int y) returns false by defaultdetermines whether the point (x,y) is inside the rectangle whichrepresents the bounds of this object getRectangle( ) abstract methodreturns the rectangle which represents the bounds of this objectSliderShaftSettings class extends DrawableSettings and implementsDrawable interface represents the details of the shaft component of aSliderAxis sends a RECTANGLECHANGED notification to any observers if therectangle which represents the bounds of this object changes has thefollowing attributes with appropriate get( ) and set( ) methods shaftfill color shaft border (outline) color shaft fill color below an armwhether or not the shaft is horizontal or vertical the rectangle whichrepresents the bounds of this shaft the lower limit value the shaftrepresents the upper limit value the shaft represents the lower limitwhich is visible on the shaft the upper limit which is visible on theshaft whether or not to fill below the arm with the fill color whetheror not the shaft is scrollable the ratio of the shaft width to thecanvas it is painted on the ratio of the shaft height to the canvas itis painted on draw(Graphics g, Rectangle boundingArea) draw a rectanglewith the fill color draw a border around it with the border colorprovide methods to query the position of the shaft get the Rectangle getthe position as a Point override the inside( ) method fromDrawableSettings provide methods to set position and size of the shaftand notify any observers that RECTANGLECHANGED if the refresh parameteris true move(int x, int y, boolean refresh) reshape(int x, int y, intwidth, int height, boolean refresh) resize(int width, int height,boolean refresh) SliderArmSettings class extends DrawableSettings andimplements Drawable interface represents the details of a single armcomponent of a SliderAxis sends a RECTANGLECHANGED notification to anyobservers if the rectangle which represents the bounds of this objectchanges has the following attributes with appropriate get( ) and set( )methods arm fill color the rectangle which represents the bounds of thisarm the numeric value which this arm represents the settings of theshaft onto which this arm is painted the point at which this arm makescontact with the shaft it is painted on the ratio of the arm width tothe canvas it is painted on the ratio of the arm height to the canvas itis painted on the settings of the immediate neighbouring arm which comesbefore it on the shaft the settings of the immediate neighbouring armwhich comes after it on the shaft whether or not this arm acts as a wallwhen another arm hits it a Drawable object which represents a speciallook for the arm (it has a draw( ) method) the width of the Drawableobject whether or not the arm has a fixed thickness (it is notdetermined by the arm ratio) and its value draw(Graphics g, RectangleboundingArea) draw a rectangle with the fill color call draw( ) on theDrawable object to put the special arm look (eg. 3D look) on the armrectangle provide methods to query the position of the arm getRectangle() - return a Rectangle getPosition( ) - return the top left Point of theRectangle override the inside( ) method from DrawableSettings providemethods to set the position and size of the arm and notify any observersthat RECTANGLECHANGED if the refresh parameter is true move(int x, inty, boolean refresh) translate(int x, int y, boolean refresh)reshape(long value, int screenWidth, int screenHeight, booleanrefresh) - recalculates the shape of the arm based on the new value itis being set to fakeReshape(long value, int screenWidth, intscreenHeight) - does a “what if” analysis to calculate what the armwould look like if the value were set differently - does NOT send outany notifications reshape(int x, int y, int width, int height, booleanrefresh) resize(int width, int height, boolean refresh) provide methodsto attach/detach this arm from a neighbouring arm appearing before orafter it on the shaft attachArm(SliderArmSettings arm, int direction)detachArm(int direction) - return the SliderArmSettings of the arm itwas attached to getNumberOfAttached(int direction) - return how manyarms are attached in a row provide methods to handle the special casewhere this arm is attached to another arm which could also be attached,and so on getEffectiveBounds(int direction) - return the Rectangle whichrepresents the area for this arm aid its attached arms in that directionmoveWithAttached(int x, int y, int direction, boolean refresh)SliderZoneSettings class extends DrawableSettings and implementsDrawable interface represents the details of a single zone component ofa SliderAxis - a zone is the area between two arms defines notificationsfor STATUSCHANGED sends a STATUSCHANGED notification to any observers ifthe status changes from inactive to active or vice versa sends aRECTANGLECHANGED notification to any observers if the rectangle whichrepresents the bounds of this object changes has the followingattributes with appropriate get( ) and set( ) methods active color -color of the zone when it is active inactive color - color of the zonewhen it is not active the rectangle which represents the bounds of thiszone the current status of the zone (active, inactive) whether or notthe zone is always active or can have its status changed a Drawableobject which represents a special look for the zone (it has a draw( )method) the width of the Drawable object draw(Graphics g, RectangleboundingArea) draw a rectangle with the fill color determined by thezone's current status call draw( ) on the Drawable object to put thespecial zone look, if the zone is not always active If zone is active,then it appears pushed in If zone is inactive, then it appears raisedprovide methods to query the position of the zone getRectangle( ) -return a Rectangle getPosition( ) - return the top left Point of theRectangle override the inside( ) method from DrawableSettings providemethods to set position and size of the zone and notify any observersthat RECTANGLECHANGED if the refresh parameter is true move(int x, inty, boolean refresh) reshape(int x, int y, int width, int height, booleanrefresh) resize(int width, int height, boolean refresh)squashFromAbove(int delta, boolean refresh) squashFromBelow(int delta,boolean refresh) expandFromAbove(int delta, boolean refresh)expandFromBelow(int delta, boolean refresh) squashFromRight(int delta,boolean refresh) squashFromLeft(int delta, boolean refresh)expandFromRight(int delta, boolean refresh) expandFromLeft(int delta,boolean refresh) moveByPoint(Point delta, boolean refresh)SliderAxisSettings extends Observable and implements the Observerinterface defines notifications for ARMVALUECHANGED ARMDRAGCOMPLETEZONEACTIVATED ZONEDEACITVATED ZONEAREACHANGED OVERLAYAREACHANGEDSELECTEDOVERLAYCHANGED receives notifications from SliderArmSettings,SliderZoneSettings, and generic DrawableSettings (such as overlays)sends notifications in response to received notifications to make themmore informative for its own observers handles all the interactionbetween its components; the constructor does the following: Create aSliderShaftSettings for the shaft and handles any notification from itRegisters as an observer of the shaft settings Creates aSliderArmSettings for each slider arm req'd (passing it a reference tothe SliderShaftSettings) and handles any notifications from them Createsa SliderZoneSettings for each area delimited by the slider arms requiredand handles any notifications from them Forces the first and last zonenon-draggable, since there is no arm attached at the ends has thefollowing private attributes with no direct get( ) and set( ) methods aVector SliderArmSettings a Vector SliderZoneSettings a VectorDrawableSettings for the overlays which arm number was last observed hasthe following shaft related methods getShaftSettings( ) - returns theSliderShaftSettings getLowerLimit( ) - returns the lowest value theshaft represents setLowerLimit(long lowerLimit) long getUpperLimit( )returns the lowest value the shaft represents setUpperLimit(longupperLimit) has the following arm related methods getArmSettings(intindex) - returns the SliderArmSettings for the specified arm numbergetNumberOfArms( ) - returns the number of arms on the shaftinsideArm(int x, int y) - returns the arm number which the point (x,y)is contained in getValue( ) - returns the value of the current arm(internal pointer to a current arm) getValue(int thisArm) - returns thevalue of the specified arm notifyFinalPosition(int thisArm) - sends outan ARMDRAGCOMPLETE message for the specified arm - use this method ifyou need to notify any observers of the end of a drag operation - bydefault observers are notified of all arm moves as they happen has thefollowing zone related methods getZoneSettings(int index) - returns theSliderZoneSettings for the specified zone number getNumberOfZones( ) -returns the number of zones on the shaft insideZone(int x, int y) -returns the zone number which the point (x,y) is contained in has thefollowing zone related methods addOverlay(DrawableSettings overlay) addthe DrawableSettings object as an overlay handle any notifications fromthis object removeOverlay(DrawableSettings overlay) remove theDrawableSettings object as an overlay no longer handle any notificationsfrom this object getOverlaySettings(int index) - returns theDrawableSettings for the specified overlay getNumberOfOverlays( ) -returns the number of overlays on the shaft insideOverlay(int x, inty) - returns the overlay number which the point (x,y) is contained inImplements the observer interface to convert notifications coming ininto something more usable by this object's observers . . . if thesender is a SliderArmSettings that this is currently observing if thenotification message is RECTANGLECHANGED send out an ARMVALUECHANGEDnotification with the arm number else if the sender is aSliderZoneSettings that this is currently observing if the notificationmessage is STATUSCHANGED send out a ZONEACTIVATED or ZONEDEACTIVATEDnotification with the zone number (depending on the status of the zone)else if the notification message is RECTANGLECHANGED send out aZONEAREACHANGED notification with the zone number else if the sender isa DrawableSettings that this is currently observing (i.e an overlay onthe graph) if the notification message is RECTANGLECHANGED send out anOVERLAYAREACHANGED notification with a reference to the sender else ifthe notification message is SELECTIONSTATECHANGE send out aSELECTEDOVERLAYCHANGED notification with a reference to the senderSliderAxis a Canvas to draw the graph on takes a single parameter -SliderAxisSettings in its constructor and registers itself as anobserver of it receives notifications from the objects it controls hasthe following private attributes with no direct get( ) and set( )methods the mouse position of the last mouse down event the mouseposition of the last mouse event (down, drag, up, . . . ) set this toNULL when you are in the process of handling a potential drag event thedrag point offset an offset used in calculating where the arm shouldmove to relative to the current mouse position whether or not mouse dragevents should currently be ignored this is true when the mouse driftsoutside the region you are dragging which arm is currently being dragged(0 if none) which zone is currently being dragged (0 if none) the offsetbetween the arm and the zone positions used to reposition arms as aresult of zone drags and when moving colliding arms together as a unitthe currently selected overlay object Provide methods for changing thestate of the SliderAxisSettings setZoneState(int zoneNumber, booleanactive) get the SliderZoneSettings for the specified zoneactivate/deactivate the specified zone repaint the specified zonesetValue(int whichArm, long value) - used externally to reposition anarm to a different value get the SliderArmSettings for the specified armfake a mouse click inside the arm rectangle fake a drag of the arm tothe rectangle which represents the value specified getSelectedOverlay( )Return the DrawableSettings of the currently selected overlaydraw(Graphics g, Rectangle boundingArea) call draw( ) on theSliderShaftSettings to draw the shaft call draw( ) on eachSliderArmSettings object (i.e. each arm) on the shaft call draw( ) oneach SliderZoneSettings object (i.e. each zone) between the arms on theshaft call draw( ) on the Drawable objects that have been added asoverlays to the SliderAxis update(Graphics g) override the Canvas'update method to call this paint method instead paint(Graphics g) createa double buffer by creating an offscreen image to draw on call drawpassing it the offscreen image draw the off screen image Handling mousedown events Determine where the mouse click is by calling the inside( )methods of all Drawable objects (i e. SliderShaftSettings,SliderZoneSettings, SliderArmSettings, overlays) If inside an overlayand the overlay is selectable toggle the state of the overlay(selected/unselected) deselect the currently selected overlay set thecurrent selected overlay to be the one that was just clicked on Else ifinside an arm Keep the mouse location around and use as an offsetDetermine which arm you are moving Save the arm number for the durationof the drag events Else if inside a zone Keep the mouse location aroundand use as an offset Determine which zone you are moving Save the zonenumber for the duration of the drag events Handling mouse drag events Ifhad clicked inside an arm to start the drag If drifted outside the armIgnore the drag Else if the mouse position is still inside the arm Ifwent off the deep-end previously Wait until the mouse is back on the armand treat it as a new mouse down event set a flag to signal that you nolonger are ignoring mouse moves If no longer ignoring mouse moves (backon track) adjust the arm Else if had clicked inside a zone to start thedrag If drifted outside the zone Ignore the drag Else if the mouseposition is still inside the arm If went off the deep-end previouslyWait until the mouse is back on the zone and treat it as a new mousedown event set a flag to signal that you no longer are ignoring mousemoves If no longer ignoring mouse moves (back on track) adjust the zoneand the arms adjoining it Handling mouse up events If had clicked insidea zone to start the drag If have single clicked and this is NOT part ofa drag toggle the state of the selected zone repaint the zone Else ifhad clicked inside an arm to start the drag and NOT drifted outside thearm adjust the arm If the mouse up event is NOT a fake one tell theSliderArmSettings to notify any observers that this is the end of an armdrag Else if had clicked inside a zone to start the drag and NOT driftedoutside the zone adjust the zone and the arms adjoining it methods forcalculating the new positions of the arms and zones as a result of amouse drag adjustTheArm(int x, Int y) If the current aim is a wall (i.enot draggable) ignore subsequent drags If not ignoring drags If this armmovement is a result of a zone drag need to drag along a trailing armdetermine the suggested arm position, and the change from the last dragremember to add the zone offset in case a zone drag is actuallycontrolling the arm drag set the new position of the current arm defaultit to the suggested one determine the direction the arm is moving Ifmoving lower along the shaft (down for vertical shaft, left forhorizontal shaft) Detach the arm in the other direction If this arm dragis initiated from a zone drag Need to detach the trailing zone'sattached arms as well Remember to ignore drags for arms that are walls(non-draggable) If still in a NOT ignore drag state customize thefollowing Steps depending on 2 factors: the direction of motion; and theorientation of the shaft find the number of attached arms find theeffective rectangle of this arm group For each arm in the direction ofmotion, check for collisions If the arm movement is a result of a zonedrag drag the trailing arm along If the newly colliding arm is a wallignore subsequent drags Move the colliding arm the delta that applies toit paint( ) Adjust the delta of motion for the next iteration If thereis still some delta of motion to move the arm by Check that the armgroup will not blow the end of the shaft paint( ) © Copyright IBM CanadaLtd., International Business Machines Corporation

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madeto what has been described and illustrated without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. The details described and illustratedin the disclosed performance variable interface, including the number,nature and position of the threshold zones, the colors suggested, thearrangement and selection of the performance variables, are forillustration purposes only. Alternatives and other options would bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the inventionis set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A graphical userinterface displaying a representation of the values of at least onedetected performance variable, which has been automatically detected byautomatically monitoring system performance, on a computing systemdisplay to provide indications as to how said detected variables relateto predetermined threshold values of said variables over time, and wheresaid variables relate to an operation of an information handling system,comprising: at least one zone in a screen on said display such that eachzone represents a threshold value for each of said variables, and; arepresentation of the detected values of each of said monitoredvariables over time overlying said at least one zone in accordance withthe threshold values of said zones, so as to provide a visual indicationof the functioning of the information handling system; wherein saidinterface automatically varies display of at least one of said at leastone zone and said representation of detected values over time inresponse to user input.
 2. The graphical user interface of claim 1further comprising a marker zone indicating one or more eventsassociated with said variables said information handling systemoccurring at a point in time.
 3. The graphical user interface of claim2, wherein said zones are arranged in horizontal bands on said screen.4. The graphical user interface of claim 2, wherein each zone covers anequal amount of real estate of said screen.
 5. The graphical userinterface of claim 3 wherein the horizontal bands cover unequal portionsof the real estate of the screen.
 6. The graphical user interface ofclaim 1 wherein said at least one zone consists of a plurality of zonesand includes: a zone which represents normal values for each variable;at least one zone which represents warning values for each variable; andat least one zone which represents-critical values for each variable. 7.The graphical user interface of claim 6 wherein: the at least one zonewhich represents warning values of said variable comprises two warningzones which are located on either side of said zone which representsnormal values; and the at least one zone which represents criticalvalues of said variable comprises two critical zones which appear aboveand below the zones of warning values.
 8. The graphical user interfaceof claim 6, wherein each zone covers an equal amount of real estate ofsaid screen.
 9. The graphical user interface of claim 7 wherein saidzones are visually distinguished from each other.
 10. The graphical userinterface of claim 9 wherein the various zones have backgrounds ofdifferent colors and the background colors are selected from the groupof colors consisting of green, yellow and red.
 11. The graphical userinterface of claim 7, wherein said zones are arranged in horizontalbands on said screen.
 12. The graphical user interface of claim 11wherein the horizontal bands cover unequal portions of the real estateof the screen.
 13. The graphical user interface of claim 7, wherein eachzone covers an equal amount of real estate of said screen.
 14. Thegraphical user interface of claim 6 wherein said zones are visuallydistinguished from each other.
 15. The graphical user interface of claim14 wherein the various zones have backgrounds of different colors andthe background colors are selected from the group of colors consistingof green, yellow and red.
 16. The graphical user interface of claim 6,where said zones arranged in horizontal bands on said screen.
 17. Thegraphical user interface of claim 16 wherein the horizontal bands coverunequal portions of the real estate of the screen.
 18. The graphicaluser interface of claim 1 further comprising a zone border value sectiondisplayed on said screen providing the threshold values for each of saidzones.
 19. The graphical user interface of claim 18 wherein said zoneborder value section provides threshold values for each of said zonesfor a selected performance variable.
 20. The graphical user interface ofclaim 1, further comprising display of a detailed line sectiondisplaying details of a selected performance variable at a particularpoint in time including the name of the performance variable and avariety of values selected from the group of: the last value, theaverage value, the maximum value, the minimum value, of the variable.21. The graphical user interface of claim 1 wherein said representationsof the value of the variables are plotted as line graphs in said atleast one zone.
 22. The graphical user interface of claim 21 wherein aplurality of line graphs of the values of performance variables areplotted in said at least one zones.
 23. A program storage devicereadable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program of instructionsexecutable by the computer for implementing on the computer thegraphical user interface as defined in claim
 1. 24. A method ofdisplaying representations of at least one performance variable of aninformation handling system on a display of a computing system where themethod is performed by a programmed computer system comprising thefollowing steps: automatically monitoring system performance andautomatically detecting at least one system performance variable;providing at least one zone in a screen on said display of the computingsystem, such that each zone represents a threshold value of theperformance variables; providing representations of values of saiddetected variables on the screen over time and overlying said zone suchthat a visual impression is provided by said representations as to theperformance of the information handling system; and automaticallyvarying display of at least one of said at least one zone and saidrepresentation of detected values over time in response to user input.25. The method of claim 24 further including the step of providing amarker zone on the screen for indicating the occurrence over time of oneor more events associated with said performance variables of theinformation handling system.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein saidstep of providing at least one zone consists of providing a plurality ofzones and includes: providing a zone which represents a normal value foreach variable; providing at least one zone which represents a warningvalue for each variable; and providing at least one zone whichrepresents a critical value for each variable.
 27. The method of claim26 such that the step of providing a plurality of zones includes:providing zones which represent warning values of said variableappearing on either side of said normal zone; and providing zones whichrepresent critical values of said variables appearing above and belowthe zones of warning values for said variable.
 28. The method of claim25 wherein said zones are arranged in horizontal bands on the screen.29. The method of claim 28 wherein each of said zones covers equalportions of real estate of said screen.
 30. The method of claim 28wherein each of the horizontal bands covers an unequal portion of thereal estate of the screen.
 31. The method of claim 24 wherein said stepof providing at least one zone consists of providing a plurality ofzones and includes: providing a zone which represents a normal value foreach variable; providing at least one zone which represents a warningvalue for each variable; and providing at least one zone whichrepresents a critical value for each variable.
 32. The method of claim31 such that the step of providing a plurality of zones includes:providing zones which represent warning values of said variableappearing on either side of said normal zone; and providing zones whichrepresent critical values of said variables appearing above and belowthe zones of warning values for said variable.
 33. The method of claim32, further comprising visually distinguishing each one of saidplurality of zones from each other one of said plurality of zones. 34.The method of claim 33 wherein said visually distinguishing said zonescomprises providing backgrounds of different colors such that thebackground colors are selected from the group of colors consisting ofgreen, yellow and red.
 35. The method of claim 32 wherein said zones arearranged in horizontal bands on the screen.
 36. The method of claim 35wherein each of said zones covers equal portions of real estate of saidscreen.
 37. The method of claim 35 wherein each of the horizontal bandscovers an unequal portion of the real estate of the screen.
 38. Themethod of claim 31 wherein said zones are arranged in horizontal bandson the screen.
 39. The method of claim 38 wherein each of said zonescovers equal portions of real estate of said screen.
 40. The method ofclaim 38 wherein each of the horizontal bands covers an unequal portionof the real estate of the screen.
 41. The method of claim 24, furthercomprising visually distinguishing each one of said plurality of zonesfrom each other one of said plurality of zones.
 42. The method of claim41 wherein said visually distinguishing said zones comprises providingbackgrounds of different colors such that the background colors areselected from the group of colors consisting of green, yellow and red.43. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing a zone bordervalue section on said screen which provides threshold values for each ofsaid at least one zone.
 44. The method of claim 43 including the step ofselecting a particular performance variable and displaying in said zoneborder value section, threshold values for each of the zones for saidselected performance variable.
 45. The method claim 24 further includingthe step of providing a detail line section on the screen which displaysdetails of a selected performance variable at a particular point intime, including the name of the performance variable and a variety ofvalues selected from the group of: the last value, average value,minimum value, maximum value of the performance variable.
 46. The methodof claim 24 wherein said step of providing representations of values ofsaid variables includes the step of plotting as a line graph in saidplurality of zones, the values of said variable over time.
 47. Themethod of claim 24 wherein said step of providing representations ofvalues of said variables includes the steps of plotting a plurality ofline graphs of performance variables in said zones over time,corresponding to each variable.
 48. A computer-readable memory forstoring instructions executable in a computer for implementing themethod of displaying representations of at least one performancevariable of an information handling system as is defined in claim 24.49. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying aprogram of instructions executable by the machine to perform methodsteps for displaying representations of at least one performancevariable of an information handling system, said method steps comprisingthe method of claim 24.